Introduction:

Several factors can have an impact on child follow-up in the first two years of life, highlighting the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore pertinent to know the evolution of child health indicators.

Objective:

Study of the dynamics of indicators 269 (index of adequate follow-up in child health in the second year of life) and 302 (index of adequate follow-up in child health in the first year of life) at the national level and by Regional Health Administration (ARS) between January 2018 and January 2021.

Methods:

Cross-sectional observational study of the indicators obtained in the Matrix of Indicators of Primary Health Care, disaggregated by national total and Health Region. Descriptive and inferential statistical treatment.

Results:

At the national level and from January 2018 to January 2020, indicator 269 had an evolution dynamics (Δ=+0.03, and from January 2020 to January 2021 it had Δ=-0.009. For the same time intervals, indicator 302 had Δ=+0.02 and Δ=-0.02 respectively. Differences were found in the indicators and their dynamics according to the administrative geographic area of health.

Conclusions:

The indicator values increased between January 2018 and January 2020 and decreased between January 2020 and January 2021. Differences were found in the values in the follow-up in the first and second years of life. It is worth observing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decrease in adherence to vaccination, a decrease in the human resources needed for vaccination, and work overload. Portugal remains until 2020 with good child health indicators in the first two years of life compared to other countries. Further studies are needed to define measures to act on the weaknesses detected and to understand the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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